About 450 distinguished guests are set to walk the iconic steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art this Monday, donning what are expected to be the most audacious and jaw-dropping looks of 2024.
In line with the event’s longstanding customs, the identity of these guests will remain a mystery until Sunday evening, the eve of the event.
The Met Gala, originally conceived as a fundraiser for the Costume Institute in 1948, has undergone a cultural shift over the last few decades to embrace thematic galas that have cemented its status as “fashion’s biggest night.”
How Will Celebrities Interpret the ‘Garden of Time’ Theme at the 2024 Met Gala?
The 2024 Costume Institute exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, titled “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” is set to showcase a curated selection of 250 items from its permanent collection, “many of which have rarely been seen in public before,” according to Vogue.
The theme makes a case for sustainability and preservation in fashion, particularly with recent fashion trends in 2024 cycling back through many decades.
Unlike the 2023 gala, which celebrated the six-and-a-half-decade legacy of the iconic Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld, the dress code of the 2024 gala “The Garden of Time” introduces a level of unpredictability to what fashion enthusiasts and trend-watchers might expect from attendees.
The dress code draws inspiration from J.G. Ballard’s short story, The Garden of Time, which centred on Count Axel, his wife and his residence of crystalline flowers that could reverse time when plucked.
“The Garden of Time” could inspire guests to adorn themselves in some elegant dresses characteristic of 1960s fashion, reflecting the era in which Ballard’s story was written. Some other appearances might take inspiration from nature, fitted with flower patterns and accessories to echo the story’s floral setting.
Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief at Vogue, and Costume Institute head curator Andrew Bolton previously offered a glimpse of what to expect while showcasing a selection of the 250 items to be featured in the exhibition.
The Met Gala’s Most Memorable Fashion Statements
American hip pop star Doja Cat delivered one of the most talked about appearances of the 2023 Met Gala, dressed as a cat as a tribute to Karl Lagerfield’s famous cat, Choupette.
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Doja’s appearance extended beyond cat-like ensembles and included cat-like claws, a kitten nose and a face sculpted to resemble a cat. “If we didn’t know better, we would have thought it was Catwoman making an appearance,” Allure, an American women’s magazine, remarked on her transformation.
More interestingly, Doja answered all interview questions directed at her by Emma Chamberlain for Vogue at last year’s gala with cat-like vocalisations: “Meow.”
Based on Doja’s recent social media posts from New York City, she might be making her second appearance on the Met Gala red carpet, especially since these posts were made just two days before the event.
Lil Nas X’s recent Instagram story also suggests he will be making another appearance at fashion’s most illustrious event.
Nas appeared in what was unarguably the most audacious ensemble at the gala. The American singer, popular for his social media presence and queer visuals, had his entire body covered in silver paint and rhinestones.
Blake Lively’s custom Versace dress at the 2022 Met Gala, embroidered with crystals and metallic leather, to mirror the famed colour transformation of the Statue of Liberty from brown to oxidised green remains one of the most iconic dresses of any Met Gala.
Having skipped last year’s Met Gala, Blake Lively is set to make another appearance, according to media speculations, leaving fans eagerly anticipating another iconic ensemble.
What is the Met Gala Event Like?
Celebrities Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour will make the five-person co-chairs for Monday night’s event.
Unfortunately, the gala enforces a strict no-phone and social media policy, which makes the happenings at the gala top-secret, much like the guest list, which remains under wraps until the eve of the event.
It could be said that the intrigue and mystery associated with the event contributed to the global fascination with the gala, elevating it from a mere event to a global spectacle.
